An article in the Boston Globe yesterday touted the benefits of helicopter parenting. It’s an interesting contrast to a previous post I had written on this subject, and it has me thinking. Below is an excerpt from the Boston Globe:
A quiet reappraisal of helicopter parents is underway. Some researchers have begun to argue that late adolescence and young adulthood are such minefields today – emotional, social, sexual, logistical, psychological – that there are valid reasons for parents to remain deeply involved in their children’s lives even after the kids are, technically speaking, adults.
“There is this stereotypical, oversensationalized, negative portrait, where they use ‘over-parenting’ and ‘helicopter parenting’ synonymously,” says Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, a social historian and author who studies family issues.
“Over-parenting is not letting your kids take the consequences of their actions, swooping down to rescue them, and the result would be a spoiled brat. But helicopter parenting is entirely different, and I think it is a positive style of child-rearing.”
Is it the parent’s job to guide their children through adversity? When do children learn in a tangible way about the consequences of their actions? There seems to be different stages in a child’s life (toddler, child, tween, teen, adolescent, young adult) when more supervision, guidance, and support is necessary. What are your experiences with this, either as a child or parent?
via For some, helicopter parenting delivers benefits – The Boston Globe.
Such an interesting question and topic… thanks Emily!
Since my son is only 4 I only have experience to this age as a parent. I can say as an adolescent and young adult I would have benefitted from more guidance, while my husband had A LOT of attempted giudance that really put more of a wedge between him and his parents. So my initial hunch is (like with a lot of things!) it somewhat depends on the individual child. And part of our responsibility as parents is to know our children well enough (in addition to reading, research etc) to intuit what they need at the different stages in their lives…. and to be creative and adaptable if a more hands on – or hands off – approach is not working.